Athanasiadou Gallery inaugurates its new space in Koukaki with the exhibition “Hazy Cosmic Jive!” by Eirini Linardaki and HOPE

Starting November 14, ATHANASIADOU GALLERY opens the doors of its new space in Koukaki with the exhibition “Hazy Cosmic Jive!” by Eirini Linardaki and HOPE (Konstantinos Ntagkas), curated by art historian Eleni Koukou in collaboration with the artists.

Founded in Thessaloniki in 1983 by the dynamic Zina Athanasiadou, the gallery has since evolved through generations. Under the direction of Marina Athanasiadou, it expanded to Athens -with the creation of the experimental space LAB Art Projects in 2000 and the art consultancy aaa, athanasiadou art advice in 2004 and to Paros in 2018, bringing art to the island’s summer landscape.

The Neighborhood

The choice of location is no coincidence. The new ATHANASIADOU GALLERY is situated on Mitsaion Street, one of the most beautiful streets in central Athens, just a short walk from the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum.

Remaining steadfast in its commitment to showcasing Greek artistic creation, the gallery continues to embrace extroversion as one of its core values. As director Marina Athanasiadou notes:

“My relationship with each artist is one of friendship, collaboration, and mutual love for contemporary art. We work toward a common goal, sharing the same passion. Our aim is to promote the work of Greek artists both in Greece and abroad. That’s why we chose Koukaki, a neighborhood with a vibrant, multicultural character.”

The Space and the Program

Marked by its bright yellow sign and familiar logo, the gallery’s new home at 4 Mitsaion Street has been designed by ADD Architecture Studio. The linear exterior railing is a creation by artist Lina Theodorou, while the furniture consists of original pieces by Swiss design company USM.

The space reflects a corporate yet creative identity, functioning both as an art consultancy office and an exhibition venue. The program will include solo exhibitions, in situ projects, and an art store featuring collectible artist editions and design objects by artists and architects.
Its motto captures the philosophy behind it all: “Collecting is a form of self-definition.”

Among the artists represented by the gallery are Alexandros Avranas, Kostis Velonis, Alexandros Georgiou, Paris Yachoustidis, Giorgos Gyparakis, Georgia Damopoulou, Daniil, Rania Emmanouilidou, Lina Theodorou, Vlassis Caniaris, Nikos Kessanlis, Nikos Navridis, Maria Papadimitriou, Aris Papapashalis, Dimitris Tsoublekas, Chryssa Romanou, Lambros Psyrakis, and Alexandros Psychoulis.

The Inaugural Exhibition

The opening project, “Hazy Cosmic Jive!”, curated by Eleni Koukou, brings together Eirini Linardaki and HOPE (Konstantinos Ntagkas) in a dynamic dialogue that amplifies both the visual and conceptual resonance of their works.

Linardaki, who lives and works between Crete and New York, is known for her public art projects and environmental activism. This marks her first presentation in an Athenian gallery.
HOPE, recognized for his multidisciplinary practice spanning sculpture, collage, performance, and fanzines, will present a new series of ceramic sculptures.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalogue with an essay by the curator.

The Artists and Curator

Eirini Linardaki

Born in Athens, Linardaki lives and works between Crete and New York. A creator of large-scale public art, she studied Fine Arts at the École des Beaux-Arts de Quimper, L.I.T. Limerick (Ireland), Universität der Künste Berlin, and the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts Marseille.
Her work draws on the female heritage of Crete, particularly traditional weaving, which she integrates into monumental murals and installations across the world—from Union Station in Washington D.C. to Grand Central Station.
Her practice, driven by environmental and social engagement, emphasizes community resilience, inclusivity, and access to art.
She has collaborated with UNICEF, the City of Athens, the French Institute, the Mellon Foundation, the City of New York, and the U.S. Department of Education.
In 2025, she received the Artist Accelerator Award from the Andy Warhol Foundation in Washington.

HOPE (Konstantinos Ntagkas)

Born in Athens in 1976, HOPE studied Law at the University of Athens. His artistic practice includes ceramic sculpture, large-scale collage, performance, and fanzines.
He has exhibited extensively in Greece and abroad, including Orphic Dialogues (Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, 2023), My Sons Too Young Then (Archaeological Museum of Andros, 2018), and Monsters in Fashion (Benaki Museum, Athens, 2011; La Gaîté Lyrique, Paris, 2014).

Eleni Koukou

Born in Athens, Koukou holds a PhD in Curatorial Practice and an MA in Museology from the University of Essex, UK. Since 2021, she serves as Advisor to the Artistic Director of EMST (National Museum of Contemporary Art) and founded the non-profit organization ex situ in 2018. Her curatorial projects include The Spirit of the Staircase in Crete and the visual arts program Common View – Contemporary Art at the National Theatre of Greece (2007–2013).

Marina Athanasiadou

Marina Athanasiadou is an art historian, museologist, and art consultant. She has curated numerous exhibitions in Greece and abroad and lectures on contemporary curatorial practice and art investment.
She has a degree in Economics from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, a BA in Art History from Parsons School of Design (Paris), and postgraduate studies in International Management (E.S.C.E., Paris) and Arts Management (City University, London).
Since 2000, she has been the director of ATHANASIADOU GALLERY.